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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. Never ever send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally. )
  • "the consignment" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "trunk box" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
  • "your urgent reply" (scammers rush victims so they don't have time to think properly)
  • "united state dollar" (this email uses bad English)
• This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
  

Fraud email example:

From: FAITH JOHNSON <faithjohnson09988038973@q.com>
Reply-To: <mrsfaithjohnson@ubbi.com>
Date: Wed, 4 Feb 2009 01:17:32 +0000
Subject: CRY FOR HELP



CRY FOR HELP
Dearest Respectful One I am by name Mrs. Faith Johnson 34yrs a and a wife of a Café Merchant in Republic of Rwanda of my late husband. Before the death of my late husband he disclosed to me that he deposited some amount cash concealed in a trunk box and deposited with a security company here in Nigeria that he declared as family valuables. Now, following the political instability here, my late husband later signed an agreement that the consignment will only be released to my nominated foreign trustee of my choice. So, I want you to please assist me stand as my nominated foreign trustee and claim the fund (consignment) from the security company. That money was meant for the importation of machineries for his coffee processing plant for a company that he wanted to establish in Nigeria. Unfortunately my late husband did not live to achieve it before unknown person poisoned him to death. I am soliciting for your assistance to help me to claim this consignment from the security company on my behalf and aid me to relocate from here and join you there, since I have no experience or interest in this type of business he advised me to seek a reliable and trust worthy business partner who will assist me to claim, secure and invest the funds in any meaningful lucrative business in your country because this is my only hope in life. For your information, please the amount is $12.4m (United State Dollars). I am waiting for your urgent reply so that I will you with more details. Yours Sincerely, Mrs. Faith Johnson

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam